Automatic control mechanism for a marking machine



March 29, 1960 P. E. SHERRILL, JR 2,

AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A MARKING mama Filed Nov. 9, 195a 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR. Price 1 Sherri, J7; By Paul. J' P M A TTORNEYS March 1960 P. E. SHERRILL, JR 2,930,345

AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A MARKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 9, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 R 3 ma k INVEN'OR. fi'meEJfizr/ MW;

A TTORNE YS Mam}! 1960 P. E. SHERRILL, JR ,9

AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A MARKING MACHINE Filed Nov. e, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG 4 w m n m IN VEN TOR.

PrireESwl/i/LJZ; By 4' Paul ATTORNEYS March 29, 1960 P. E. SHERRILL, JR Y 2,930,345

AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A MARKING MACHINE Filed NOV. 9, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fiat I INVENTOR. Price 2. Jig/171$; BY PM d- PM ATTORNEYS United States Patent AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A MARKING MACHINE Price E. Sherrill, Jr., Gastonia, N.C., assignor to Cocker Machine & Foundry Company, Gastonia, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Application November 9, 1956, Serial No. 621,310

8 Claims. (Cl. 118-11) This invention relates to an automatic control mechanism which is useful in connection with various types of machines in causing periodic functioning of one or more parts of the machine. In certain forms, such as the one herein disclosed, the improved automatic control mechanism is especially adapted for use in connection with textile machines and the like, for controlling intermittent actuation of marking devices by which spot or transverse line imprints are impressed, in definitely spaced relation, upon running strand or sheet material for guidance in subsequently cutting the material to desired lengths, or for other purposes.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved machine for making spaced imprints on a running textile material. Another object is to provide an automatic control means suitable forthe purposes mentioned above, which is simple in construction, reliable in operation, and easily and quickly adjusted to function periodically between Wide limits without requiring changing of gears or rearranging other parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means whereby such mechanism is powered from a rotating part of the machine or apparatus with which. it is associated, and to provide an improved gauging means whereby the mechanism can be accurately pre-set to function at definite predetermined time intervals, for example, when used in connection with a textile machine, to cause imprints to be made by a marking device at recurrent intervals corresponding to definite lengths of the strand or sheet material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a repeating device capable of adjustment for any length of mark from about two inches up to any desired length, and which can readily be changed from one length setting to another Without changing gears or adding extra parts. This device is especially adapted for use in connection with slashers in which size is incorporated into yarn, for controlling the intermittent activation of a marking device which impresses an ink marking on the sized yarn while the yarn is travelling at high speed.

The device according to this invention may use the yarn marking mechanism and preferably some of the parts of the repeating mechanism shown in US. Patent No. 2,681,035, entitled Automatic Control Mechanism in Strand Marking Machine, and assigned to Cocker Machine & Foundry Company of Gastonia, North Carolina. However, the method and apparatus for reversing the repeating mechanism is simplified and is sharply improved in accordance with this invention. 7

Other objects and attendant advantages will'appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein: I

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a textile machine 2 as indicated by the lines and arrows II-H, which appear in Fig. 1. V

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation, partly in section showing the control mechanism of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, partly in section.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken as indicated by the lines and arrows V'-V and VL-VI which appearin Fig. 3, and

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are wiring diagrams illustratingth'e connections and sequence ofoperation of the apparatus.

Turning now to the specific form of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, the sprocket 10 on a drive shaft 10a is constantly rotated by a'chain from a roll on the slasher, or by any other rotating part of this or any other apparatus with which the device is associated. Sprocket 10 turns the miter gear 11, which in turn drives miter gear 12. Miter gear 12 is setscrewed to a shaft 13'that extends through the bearing 14 and side plate 15. This shaft 13 also extends through the field piece 16 of an electric or magnetic clutch 17, of the stationary-field type. Shaft 13 also extends through the rotor assembly 20 of the electric clutch 17, which is set-screwed to the shaft 13. The shaft 13 further extends through a worm drive sprocket 21, which is bored to fit over the hub 22. This hub 22 has an Oilite? bearing 23 press-fitted in the hub 22. The armature 24 rides on a splined part 9 of the hub. The shaft 13 has an end extension which passes through a worm driving gear 25 which is set-screwed to the shaft 13.

Another shaft 26 runs parallel to the previously described shaft 13 and extends through bearings 27 and in the form of a slasher, having a means for printing through the side plate 15. Shaft 26 further extends through a field piece 16(a) of another electric clutch 17 (a). It then extends through the rotor assembly 20(a) of the electric clutch 17 (a), which is set-screwed to the shaft 26. Shaft 26 then extends through the worm drive sprocket 21(a) which is bored to fit over the hub 22(a).

.The armature 24(a) rides on the splined part 9(a) of The shaft 26 has an end extension which the hub 22(a). passes through a wormv driving gear 28 which is setscrewed to the shaft 26. This gear 28 runs in mesh with worm driving gear 25, but in an opposite direction.

Worm shaft 29 (see particularly Figs. 3 and 5) is supported by bearing 19, and extends through the side plate 15 and scale carrier 30. The worm shaft 29 then extends through a worm shaft sprocket 31 which is setscrewed to the worm shaft 29. A chain 32 connects the worm sprocket -31 and the two sprockets zl and This ring 35 is clamped in place on worm shaft 29 after setting, by manipulating a cap screw 36. The worm shaft 29 further extends through a scale carrier 37 through a side plate 40 and then through the bearing 19.. A reset hand-wheel 42 is set-screwed to the worm shaft 29. l

The side plates 15 and 40 are joined by three girts 43, The two scale carriers 30, 37 are joined by a scale bar 44. Two springs 45 (see particularly Figs. 3 and 6)"are fastened to the scale carrier 37 and to the side plate 40., The springs 45 normally maintain the scale carrier 37 in a position about halfway between limit switch 50 and limit switch 51 (Fig. 6), which are fixed on the side plate 40. a

The switches 50 and 51 are connected electrically to control the actuation and reversal of the apparatus, as will beco-meapparent, having reference particularly to Figs. 7-9 of the drawings. Limit switch 50 is connected electrically to the solenoid 60 of. a. ratchet relay 52 having a pair of contacts 52(a) leading to the field of magnetic clutch 17 (a) and another pair of contacts 52(b) leading to the field of magnetic clutch 17.

.The solenoid 60 of ratchet relay. 52 is arranged to draw a ratchet arm 61 in opposition to a return spring 62, bringing its ratchet head 63 in contact with an eighttoothed ratchet disc 64. Disc 64 is fixed to a cam wheel 65 having four equally-spaced humps 66 which are arranged to contact and lift the arm 70 selectively to open and close the switches 52(a) and 52(b). As shown in Fig.7, the upper cam humps 66 are parallel to and spaced from the switch arm 70, which by its own resilience closes the switches 52(b). Upon the next actuation of solenoid 60, the cam wheel 65 is swung around oneeighth the arc of a circle, one cam hump 66 being posiitoned for lifting the arm 70 as indicated in Fig. 8, opening the switches 52(b) and closing the switches 52(a). The next successive actuation of solenoid 60 turns the cam wheel 65 an additional one-eighth turn in the same direction, bringing the upper humps 66 parallel to the switch arm 70 and closing the switches 52(b) as shown in Fig. 9.

Switches 50 and 51 are also connected to a yarn marking solenoid 55 shown schematically in Figs. 7-9, which draws a pressure roller 72 down upon the yarn Y pressing it momentarily against a supporting inked roll 73, marking the yarn. As soon as the scale carrier 37 is returned to its neutral position, between the switches 50 and 51,

the marking solenoid 55 is deenergized and pressure roller 72 is lifted off the yarn Y by a spring 74. Switches 50, 51 are also connected to an electric counter 56 to actuate this counter and the marking solenoid 55 simultaneously in response to the movement of scale carrier 37. By action of switches 50 and 51, electric clutches 1'7 and 17(a) are actuated alternately by switches 52(b) and 52(a) respectively, resulting in a reversal of direction of rotation of worm shaft 29 and a reversal of direction of axial traversing movement of the traversing nut'34.

It will accordingly be appreciated that one revolution of the worm shaft 29 may be made to represent one yard of yarn or material passing through the slasher, or any other length. The interval of operation between reversals of the traversing nut 34 may be set to any desired value within the limit of the length of worm shaft 29, by clamping the adjustable ring 35 at the proper location as indicated by the scale on bar 44. The setting is accomplished by opening a switch 76 interposed in an electric power line 77, 78 deenergizing the magnetic clutches 17 and 17(a) and rotating the worm shaft 29 with the reset handwheel 42, until stop 39 of the traversing nut 34 is in contact with stop 38 of the fixed ring 33. After loosening the cap screw 36 in the adjustable ring 35, the ring 35 is rotated until the center line corresponds with the number of yards desired between markings, then continuing to rotate until the desired scribed inch line on ring 35 coincides with the front edge of the scale on bar 44. The cap screw in the adjustable ring 35 may then be tightened, securing adjustable ring in the desired position.

Operation Let it be assumed that drive sprocket 10 is driven in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 4. This drives miter gear 11 in the same direction, which drives miter gear 12 in the direction shown by the arrow. This miter gear 12 drives shaft 13 which drives the rotor assembly 20 of the electric clutch 17, and also drives worm drivmg gear 25 in the direction indicated by the arrow. Worm driving gear 25 runs in mesh with worm driving gear 28, but gear 28 runs in the opposite direction, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4. This drives shaft 26 which drives the rotor assembly 20(a) of the electric clutch 17(a). Let it be assumed that the electric clutch 17 is energized by direct current, as is shown on Fig. 7 of the drawings. With the power line switch 76 closed and the contacts 52(b) of ratchet relay 52 in the closed position shown, the selenium rectifier 53 supplies half-wave direct current to the stationary field 16 of magnetic clutch 17. A condenser 54 is used to filter the current and give the desired .voltage to the clutch. When the clutch 17 is energized, the armature 24 (Fig. 4) is attracted to and held firmly to the rotor assembly 20 (Fig. 4) by magnetic lines of force. This causes worm drive sprocket 21 to turn in the same direction as the gear 25, the direction of which is shown. This causes the worm sprocket 31 to be driven through the chain linkage 32 in the direction shown (Fig. 3), and drives the worm shaft 29 in the direction shown, which moves the traversing nut 34 toward the fixed ring 33. When the fixed ring stop 38 comes in contact with the traversing ring stop 39, the traversing ring 34 is rotated in the same direction as the worm shaft 29. This moves the scale bar 44 and scale carriers 30 and 37 about the axis of shaft 29 (see particularly Figs. 6 and 7) until scale carrier 37 contacts limit switch 51 as shown in Fig. 8. This switch 51 energizes the solenoid 60 of ratchet relay 52, yarn marking solenoid 55 and electric counter 56 that counts the number of the marks. When the solenoid of ratchet relay 52 is energized, this causes its closed contact 52(b) to open, deenergizing the field piece 16 of clutch 17, and the open contacts 52(a) of ratchet relay 52 close, energizing the field piece 16(a) of clutch 17 (a). When clutch 17 (a) is energized, this causes worm drive sprocket 21(a) to rotate in the direction of gear 28, the sprocket 21 turn ing about its bearing 23. The sprocket 21(a) rotates worm shaft 29 in a direction opposite from that indicated by the arrow shown. This causes the scale bar 44 and carriers 30, 37 to move about the axis of shaft 29 to a position between the limit switches 50 and 51 because of the springs 45, and moves the traversing nut 34 axially along shaft 29 toward the adjustable ring 35'. When the adjustable ring stop 47 comes in contact with the traversing ring stop 39, the traversing nut, scale carriers and scale are rotated about the axis of shaft 29 until the scale carrier 37 contacts limit switch 50, as shown in Fig. 9. This switch 50 energizes ratchet relay 52, yarn marking solenoid 55 and counter 56. When the relay 52 ratchets, this deenergizes field piece 16(a) of clutch 17(a) and energizes field piece 16 of clutch 17, giving shaft rotation in the direction as shown by the arrow on worm shaft 29. This causes the scale and carriers to move to a position between the limit switches 50 and 51, as appears in Fig. 7, and the mechanism continues to repeat in the manner described.

The electric clutch system cannot jam since it does not dis-engage and engage any gears as in a conventional reversing mechanism. The electric clutch system can be used as a traverse to give a uniform lay when winding yarn or other material on a bobbin or a spool. The input of the electric clutch system can be motor driven and this can be used for reversing the output instead of reversing the drive motor. This has a definite advantage as the clutch system can be reversed several hundred times a minute, while a conventional motor would overheat and would not reverse as fast or as frequently as the clutch system. An application of this would be a yarn or cloth centering device.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best forms of embodiment of my invention now known to me it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims, and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A textile marking machine comprising means for marking yarn, means for contacting said yarn with said marking means, driving means operable in response to the advancement of said yarn, said driving means being connected to a pair of shafts each having a magnetic clutch, gears connecting said shafts at a common side of said clutches, a worm shaft spaced from said pair of shafts, driving means connecting said pair of shafts and said worm shaft, means operable in response to the rotation of said worm shaft and including a reversible traversing member movable along said Worm shaft for operating said yarn marking means, and electric switch means connected to said magnetic clutches for selectively and alternately energizing and deenergizing the respective clutches, thereby reversing the direction of rotary movement of said worm shaft.

2. In an automatic control mechanism for causing the intermittent, periodic operation of an actuating device for a movable machine part at predetermined intervals in the 4. In an automatic control mechanism intermittent, periodic operation of an actuating device for actuating a movable machine part at predetermined intervals in the operation of a machine to move said part from a normally inactive position to active position, the combination which comprises a drive shaft drivenat a speed in proportion to the speed of operation of: said machine, a pair of substantially parallel clutch shaftsone driven by said drive shaft and the other driven from the driven clutch shaft, each of said clutch shafts having a magnetic clutch including field and armature members operation of a machine to move said part from a normally inactive position to active position, the combination which comprises a drive means driven at a speed in proportion to the speed of operation of said machine, a pair of clutch shafts one driven by said drive means and the other driven from the driven clutch shaft, each of said clutch shafts having a magnetic clutch including a rotatable portion which is magnetically couplable to and uncouplable from its shaft, a threaded worm shaft, means for driving said worm shaft from both said rotatable portions, a traversing member threaded on said worm shaft, a restraining member arranged to cause said traversing member to travel axially along said worm shaft, stop means limiting axial movement of said traversing member, a control switch arranged to be closed when said traversing member contacts one of said stops, and connecting to said actuating device to actuate the same, clutch switching means connected for actuating when said traversing member contacts one of said stops to energize one of said magnetic clutches, said clutch switching means alternately energizing the magnetic clutches and periodically reversing the direction of said lworm shaft, and means for automatically moving said machine part to normal position after each actuation.

3. In an automatic control mechanism for causing the operation of an actuating device for actuating a movable part of a machine at predetermined intervals in the operation of a machine, the combination which comprises a drive shaft driven at a speed in proportion to the speed of operation of said machine, a pair of clutch shafts one driven by said drive shaft and the other driven from the driven clutch shaft, each of said clutch shafts having a magnetic clutch including field and armature members which are free of the shaft rotation and a rotor which is fixed to the shaft and magnetically couplable to the armature member, an elongated shaft, means for rotating said shaft from both said armatures, a traversing member carried by said elongated shaft, means for causing said traversing member to travel axially along said elongated shaft in proportion to its rotation, a pair of stops limiting axial movement of said traversing member, a control switch arranged to be closed when said traversing member contacts one of said stops, said control switch being connected to said actuating device to actuate the same, means connected for actuation by said switch and having a pair of clutch switches each connected to energize one of said magnetic clutches, said clutch switches being arranged such that either one is closed when the other is open, thereby alternately energizing the magnetic clutches and periodically reversing the direction of said elongated shaft, and means for opening said control switch when said elongated shaft is reversed.

which are free of the shaft rotation and'a rotor which is fixed to the shaft and magnetically couplable to the arma ture member, a threaded worm shaft, sprockets on both said armatures and on said worm shaft, a worm shaft rotating chain in mesh with all three of said sprockets,f a traversing member threaded on said worm shaft,x an elongated restraining member substantially parallel to said worm shaft having a channel into which a portion of said,

device to actuate the same, clutch switching means connected for actuation when said traversing member contacts one of said stops to energize one of said magnetic clutches, said clutch switching means alternately energizing the magnetic clutches and periodically reversing the direction of said worm shaft, and means for automatically moving said actuating device to normal position after it has been actuated. v e

5. In an automatic control mechanism for causing the intermittent, periodic operation of an actuating device for a movable machine part at predetermined intervals in the operation of a machine, thecombination which comprises a drive shaft driven at a speed in proportion.

to the speed of operation of said machine, a pair of substantially parallel clutch shafts one driven by said drive shaft and the other driven by gears from the driven clutch shaft, each of said clutch shafts having a magnetic clutch including field and armature members which are free of the shaft rotation and a rotor which is fixed to the shaft and magnetically couplable to the armature member, a threaded worm shaft, means for driving said worm from both said armatures, a traversing nut threaded on said worm shaft, an elongated restraining member substantially parallel to said worm shaft having a channel into which a portion of said traversing nut extends, thereby restraining said traversing nut against rotation causing said nut to travel axiallyalong said worm shaft, a fixed stop on said worm shaft toward one end from said traversing nut, an adjustable stop on said worm shaft toward the opposite end from said traversing nut, a rockable switch actuator connected to said restraining member for rocking movement when said traversing member contacts either of said stops, a control switch adapted to be closed by said rockable switch actuator and connected to said actuating device to actuate the same, a ratchet relay connected for actuation by said switch, said ratchet relay having a pair of switches each connected to energize one of said magnetic clutches, said switches being arranged such that either one is closed when the other is open, thereby reversing the direction of said worm shaft, and spring means for opening said control switch when said worm shaft is reversed.

6. In an'automatic control mechanism for causing the intermittent, periodic operation of an actuating device for a movable machine part at predetermined intervals for causing thein the operation of av machine, the combination which comprises a drive shaft driven at a speed in proportion to the speed of operation of said machine, a pair of clutch shafts one driven by said drive shaft and the other driven from the driven clutch shaft, each of said clutch shafts having a magnetic clutch including field and armature members which are free of the shaft rotation and a rotor which is fixed to the shaft and magnetically couplable to-the armature member, a threaded worm shaft, sprockets on both said armatures and on said worm shart, a worm shaft rotating chain in mesh with all three of said sprockets, a traversing nut threaded on said worm shaft, a restraining member arranged to cause said nut to travel axially along said worm shaft, a pair of stops limiting axial movement of said traversing nut, a control switch arranged to be closed when said nut contacts one of said stops, and connected to said actuating device to actuate the same, means connected for actuation by said switch and having a pair of switches each connected to energize one of said magnetic clutches, said clutch switches being arranged such that either one is closed when the other is open, and means for opening said control switch when said worm shaft is reversed.

7. In an automatic control mechanism for causing the intermittent, periodic operation of a yarn marking device at predetermined intervals in the operation of a slasher, .the combination which comprises a drive shaft driven from said slasher, a pair of substantially parallel clutch shafts one driven by said drive shaft and the other driven from the driven clutch shaft, each of said clutch shafts having a magnetic clutch including field and armature members which are free of the shaft rotation and a rotor which is fixed to the shaft and magnetically couplable to the armature member, a threaded worm shaft, means for driving said worm from both said armatures, a traversing nut threaded on said worm shaft, an elongated restraining member substantially parallel to said worm shaft having a channel into which a portion of said traversing nut extends, .thereby restraining said traversing nut against rotation and causing said nut to travel axially along said worm shaft, a fixed stop on said worm shaft toward one end from said traversing nut, an adjustable vstop on said worm shaft toward the opposite end from said traversing nut, a rockable switch actuator connected to said restraining member for rocking movement when said traversing member contacts either of said stops, a control switch adapted to be closed by said rockable switch actuator and connected to said marking device to actuate the same, a ratchet relay connected for actuation by said switch, said ratchet relay having a pair of switches each connected to energize one of said magnetic clutches, said switches being arranged such that either one is closed when the other is open, thereby alternately energizing the magnetic clutches and periodically reversing the direction of said worm shaft, and automatic return means for opening said control switch when said worm shaft is reversed.

8. In an automatic control mechanism for causing the intermittent, periodic operation of an actuating device for a movable machine part at predetermined intervals in the operation of a machine, the combination which comprises a drive shaft driven at a speed in proportion to the speed of operation of said machine, a pair of substantially parallel clutch shafts one driven by said drive shaft and the other driven from the driven clutch shaft, each of said clutch shafts having a magnetic clutch including field and armature members which are free of the shaft rotation and a rotor which is fixed to the shaft and magnetically couplable to the armature member, a threaded worm shaft, sprockets on both said armatures and on said worm shaft, a worm shaft rotating chain in mesh with all three of said sprockets, a traversing nut threaded on said worm shaft, an elongated restraining member substantially parallel to said worm shaft having a channel into which a portion of said traversing nut extends, thereby restraining said traversing nut against rotation and causing said nut to travel axially along said worm shaft, a fixed stop on said worm shaft toward one end from said traversing nut, an adjustable stop on said worm shaft toward the opposite end from said traversing nut, a rockable switch actuator connected to said restraining member for rocking movement when said traversing nut contacts either of said stops, a control switch adapted to be closed by said rockable switch actuator and connected to said actuating device to actuate the same, a ratchet relay connected for actuation by said switch, said ratchet relay having a pair of switches each connected to energize one of said magnetic clutches, said switches being arranged such that either one is closed when the other is open, thereby alternately energizing the magnetic clutches and periodically reversing the direction of said worm shaft, and spring means for opening said control switch when said worm shaft is reversed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,729,834 Emrick Jan. 10, 1956 

